Unselfish Service

This talk was just so awesome. I love the beginning description of missionaries giving their time and money at a time in life when they could potentially be very focused on self.





He quotes President Monson:

“the matter of spiritual preparation,” including service to others. “An attitude of love characterized the mission of the Master,” President Monson said. “He gave sight to the blind, legs to the lame, and life to the dead. Perhaps when we [face] our Maker, we will not be asked, ‘How many positions did you hold?’ but rather, ‘How many people did you help?’ In reality,” President Monson concluded, “you can never love the Lord until you serve Him by serving His people.”4

Here is another great quote I loved:

Mothers suffer pain and loss of personal priorities and comforts to bear and rear each child. Fathers adjust their lives and priorities to support a family. The gap between those who are and those who are not willing to do this is widening in today’s world.



I loved what Covina put on her blog a bit ago about her sacrifice she is willing to give to put a family life above that of a professional one. As a single adult - that is a hard hard choice in a world focused on positions, careers, looks, money, fame ect.... (I love you Covina!)



He follows by reminding us that if we fear men more than God, we do not serve our Savior well.



C. S. Lewis explained this teaching of the Savior: “The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first—wanting to be the centre"



A selfish person is more interested in pleasing man—especially himself—than in pleasing God. He looks only to his own needs and desires. He walks “in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world” (D&C 1:16). Such a person becomes disconnected from the covenant promises of God (see D&C 1:15) and from the mortal friendship and assistance we all need in these tumultuous times. In contrast, if we love and serve one another as the Savior taught, we remain connected to our covenants and to our associates.



It is so easy to become caught up with "self". Even in service, we can be selfish. What are the desires of our hearts? What are the Motives behind what we do? Luckily - service has an amazing way of softening our hearts. Even if we begin with the wrong motive, we usually leave with the right one. I love what the Spirit does with me when I serve... sometimes I take dinners to people because I need to serve more than they need to receive it.



Another thought: I think the reason why parenthood is so refining is because it has this effect on us. The nature of being a parent and all that comes with it is centered on unselfish service. I love the change in myself and others I have watched become parents. (I have a long way to go still..) But - I know that changes for the better are happening to me because if the blessing of serving as a wife and mother.







“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24–25; see also Matthew 10:39). - I have a personal testimony of this scripture.